What are the Best Jobs for Introverts that Pay Really Well?

Multiple studies show that Extraverts earn more than Introverts. Yes, your chances of getting a highly paid job depend on important factors such as your educational background and work experience—but your personality type plays a role too. And the data confirms it: Extraverts are making (sometimes tens of thousands) more than their introverted peers.

Best Jobs for Introverts that Pay Well

Why’s that happening? Besides Introverts being more likely to prefer a meaningful job, we can speculate that more Extraverts are choosing the cut-throat, high-stress jobs that tend to pay more. Yet, this doesn’t mean Introverts can’t have a well-paid occupation.

If you’re an Introvert looking for a job that pays really well, but also suits your personality, this article is for you. Here’s our list of the best jobs for Introverts who want to get more of the income pie.

 1. Lawyer

It may seem odd to picture a naturally quiet Introvert defending a client in court, Perry Mason style. However, not only are there many Introverted lawyers practicing, but the legal profession is also a field where Introverts can thrive.

In fact, this TV representation of lawyers as loud-type Extraverts is far from accurate. The reality? Most lawyers and attorneys spend a lot of time alone with their thoughts, researching and writing to prepare for their cases—areas that Introverts excel at. Besides, Introverts bring other strengths to the profession, such as active listening and creative problem-solving. 

In addition, not everyone interested in pursuing a career in law wants to be a trial lawyer. As an Introvert, you can choose a practice area that keeps you out of the spotlight (such as tax, or regulation law, for example). According to the data, the median annual salary for lawyers in the US was $126,930 as of May 2020.

2. Astronomer

For those who are fascinated with the secrets of the universe, a career in astronomy might be worth exploring. Astronomers’ main duties consist in studying stars, planets and other celestial bodies.

For many Introverts, the idea of working alone at night, observing the stars can be appealing, but you’ll also need to be able to collaborate with others to thrive: whether it’s for securing funding for your research, or working on a team project. 

Like most highly paid jobs, a career in astronomy usually requires extensive education and training. Most astronomers hold a Ph.D. in the field, and many conduct independent research in academia, or work for the federal government in the same capacity. In May 2020, the annual median pay for physicists and astronomers was $128,950.

3. Radiologist

Radiology is another interesting field for Introverts to explore, as it’s very much a behind-the-scenes job. Unlike other medical professionals, radiologists have little interaction with patients. As a radiologist, your job usually consists of diagnosing injuries and conditions by reading X-rays, CT scans, ultrasounds and MRIs—which means you can spend a large part of your day alone, looking at images.

Despite being an appealing profession for the solitude-seeking and science-inclined Introvert, a career in radiology involves more than a decade of training, and education. This includes medical school, residency, and specialized training in areas such as oncology, or interventional radiology.

According to a 2020 report, radiologists rank number ten for the highest annual compensation among US physicians, with an average wage of $485,460 per year.

4. Software Developer

Introverts who are into technology and lead with their Thinking function will probably enjoy working as software developers. As the creative minds behind computer programming, software developers are responsible for designing and developing new computer applications for consumers and/or commercial use.

This profession has a large creative problem-solving component to it, because if a program doesn’t work as expected, it’s the job of the developer to fix it. In addition, besides the obvious IT skills required, being meticulous and diligent are important qualities in a software developer that Introverts can bring to the table.

Occasionally, software developers may have to meet with colleagues or clients, but for the most part, they’ll work independently, sitting behind a monitor. In the US, the annual median pay for software developers is $110,140.

5. Airline or Commercial Pilot

At first glance, a person flying an aircraft may not be what comes to mind when you think of an Introvert at work. As a risk-advert INFJ, I’ll admit: I’d be properly terrified of working as a pilot. However, I can see how other introverted types could succeed in this career (looking at you, ISTJs).

In a nutshell, a pilot’s job involves flying airplanes, helicopters or other aircraft, transporting passengers or cargo. The main difference between airline and commercial pilots is that whilst the former usually work on a fixed schedule, the latter may have additional non flight duties, and work on non scheduled flight activities.

This job is perfect for quick thinking and detail oriented Introverts as it involves a huge amount of responsibility as well as routine duties, such as checking fuel, and monitoring environmental conditions. Still, some communication skills are required, as you’ll have to be comfortable enough speaking on radio and corresponding with control towers. As of May 2020, airline and commercial pilots had an annual wage of $130,440.

6. Actuary

Actuaries usually work in the financial and insurance industries. Their job is to analyze and assess the economic costs of risk and uncertainty, helping their clients make decisions that’ll minimize those potential costs.  

This is an interesting career choice for Introverts, as actuaries usually have little interaction with their clients. They may be called to share their findings but, most of the time, they’re behind their desks, compiling information, and using statistics and database software to estimate the probability of an event occurring, and the potential costs of it.

When it comes to financial compensation, actuaries in America have an average annual salary of $111,030.

The takeaway

Study after study shows that Extraverts earn more than Introverts. The good news? There’s still a world of highly paid career options suited for the quiet and diligent Introvert. Our list above is just a start. If you want to pursue a well-paid career as an Introvert, the important thing to remember is this: you already bring great strengths to the job, you may just have to advocate for yourself a little more. Good luck!